Liquid dispensing apparatus



July 119, 1938. I H. SHAPIRQ 2,124,214

l LIQUID DIsPENsING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 23, 1955 3 Sheets-SheerI l IIIIIIIIIIIII m ,IIIIIImm.

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y LIQUID DISPENSlNG APPARATUS Filed NOV. 25, 1935 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 figg,

`uly 19, 1938. H. sHAPlRo LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 25, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 :si @Wing/119 nl.: :l nnnnnnn n .I l-

Patented July 19,` 17938 2,124,214 n LIQUID nisPaNsmG APPARATUS Henry Shapiro, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor of onehalt to Samuel J.' Becker. Philadelphia, Pa.

Application November 23, 1935, Serial No.51,337 14 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 214) the container.

This invention relates to liquid dispensingapparatus, vand more -particularly to apparatus for dispensing aseptic medicinal fluids without dan ger of contaminating the same.

The practice of injecting iluids intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, etc. into animal tissue-is well known to medical science. In accordance with accepted practice, the aseptic medicinal liquid is usually withdrawn from a bulk container by means of a hypodermic syringe with which the liquid is injected into the patient. The removedliquid must be replaced by air which, in most cases, comes into contact with the remaining liquid directly from the atmosphere, and in some cases even passes through the liquid to the air space thereabove.

It is well known, of course, that atmospheric air` containsV various forms of bacteria, mold spores, dust, and'other impurities which will necessarily contaminate the remaining liquid in the' container with which the air comes'in contact, thus rendering the liquid septic and unt for injection purposes. Various proposals have been made to prevent the air from contaminating the liquid, such as passing the air through a wad of cotton or other absorbent material saturated with a sterilizing solution prior to admitting it into However, the systems incorporating such proposals and with which lI am familiar all have numerous objections thereto. For example, in the case of a wad of cotton saturated with a'sterilizing solution, the path through the wad of cotton is usually so short that it is by no means certain that all the impurities will be removed from the air. Moreover, in the example given, it not infrequently happens that the sterilizing solution evaporates to a point where the wad of cotton becomes ineiective for the purpose intended unless'it is again saturated or replaced with a new, saturated wad. The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved method of and means for in suring sterilization of the air prior to its entry into the air space in the container whereby the danger of contaminating the aseptic medicinal liquid is eliminated.

, More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved liquid dispensing apparatus which will effectively wash the atmospheric air to render it free from foreign matter and which will, at the same time, sterilize the air to render it fit for admission into the container.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for storing and shipping an aseptic medicinal liquid without subjecting the liquid to the danger of contamination from the atmosphere.

Still another object of my invention uis to provide improved means, in 'apparatus of the type aforesaid, for permitting the withdrawal of the liquid at any desired rateadjustable within pre-y determined limits.

` A further object of myinvention is to provide improved liquid dispensing apparatus wherein the air, although admitted from a point below the liquid, does not pass through the liquid itself in e. order to reach the air space thereabove.

It is also an object'of my invention to provide improved liquid dispensing apparatus as aforesaid which is simple and practical inconstruction, which provides adequate insurance for the liquid in the container against contamination, which is inexpensive to manufacture, which can be manipulated with great facility, andl which is very eiiicient in operation.

In accordance with my invention, I store the aseptic medicinal liquid in a previously-sterilized container which I close with a stopper member having an inwardly directed portion extending into the liquid, the stopper, of course, also having been previously sterilized. The stopper may then be sealed to the container, if desired, although this is not absolutely necessary. When so put up in bulk, the liquid may b e stored and shipped withy the knowledge that it can only become contaminated and made septicby removing the stopper and admitting contaminated material into the container. The inwardly directed portion of the stopper member is filled with a sterilizing medium when the liquid is ready for withdrawal from 'the container, and a venting device is inserted thereinto through which the air is admitted from the atmosphere and through which the air preferably is rnade to pass in a relatively long, circuitous path, vthe air passing therefrom through the sterilizing medium and thence into the air space within'the container above the liquid. The venting device is provided with means for regulating the rate of flow of air therethrough whereby the rate atA which the liquid iswithdrawn from the container is also regulated.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, and its method of operation,l togetherwith additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of several embodiments thereof on the neck 5.

tainer in inverted, operative position with the air venting device of my invention inserted preliminary to adjustment thereof in operating position.

Figure 3 is a view similarto Figure 2 but showing the air venting device in operating position,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV--IV of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modliled form of air venting device constructed in accordance with my invention, V

Figure 6 is a sectional view of still another modiilcation of an air venting device formed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 'l is a sectional view oi' a modiiled form oi container according to my invention, and

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a modiiled form of stopper device for the container.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown, in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a container i comprising a receptacle for receiving an aseptic medicinal liquid 3 and having a normally open neck portion which is externally threaded. Tightly. fitted into the neck 5 is a rubber, cork, or other suitable stopper 1 having a substantially central opening 9 therein and at least one other opening I I radially spaced from the opening 9. Within the opening 9 is tightly fitted a tubular member I3 of glass or any other suitable material, the member I3 being formed with a somewhat inturned or reducedend portion I5 apertured at I1, and a soft rubber plug or closure member I9 normally closing the aperture I1. Except for the'opening II, therefore, the stopper 1, tube I3 and closure I9 constitute means for shutting oil the contents of the container I from the atmosphere, and a rubber or similar disc 2i is placed over the stopper 5 to cover the opening I I, as shown in Figure 1, whereby to completely shut off the liquid'3 from the atmosphere. A metallic disc 23 is placed over the rubber disc 2i and is held in place by a'cap member 25 threaded 'I'he bottle or receptacleI I is sterilized prior to the introduction of the aseptic liquid 3 therein, as are also the stopper 5, the tube I3, the closure member I9 and the disc 2|. Thus,

when the cap 25 is applied (and. if desired, sealed to the container I), the liquid 3 is effectively withdrawal of the liquid 3 therefrom, and also to` receive a sterilizing medium 25 for sterilizing and cleaning 'the air prior to its entry into the air space above the liquid 3. The form of my improved venting means shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises an outer sleeve or tube 29 of an external diameter materially less than the internal diameter of the tubular member I3, an inner sleeve or tube 3l spaced from the tube 29 by a spacing sleeve 33 which extends from a disclike member 35, and a central rod-like member 31 threaded into a block 39 which is force tted into or otherwise suitably secured in the upper endoi the tube 29, the tubes I3, 29 and 3i and the rod 31 being, prei'erablmarranged concentrically to'each other. Threaded on the reduced extension 4I of the block 39 isa pointed member 43 adapted to pierce the soft rubber closure I9 when forced thereagainst and having a small air chamber 45 therein. The member 43 is also provvided with one or dmore vents 41' which provide the interior of the tubular member I3 and the interior of the container I via the vents 41, the

chamber 45 and the duct 49.

For manipulating the closure piercing member,

43, I provide a cylindrical manipulating cap 5I having a centrally disposed bolt 53 which is adapted to cooperate with the threaded bore 39 at the lower end of the rod 31, the cap 5I being formed with a peripheral iiange 55 which is held against the lower face of the disc-like member 35 byy a plurality of pins 51 in the cap member 25. Depending :from the disc-like member 35 within the cap 5I is a diametrically slotted and centrally bored boss 59 the bore of which is oi.' a diameter suilicient to receive a terminal member 5I force iitted onto or otherwise suitably secured to the rod 31 and having a pair of diametrically opposed extensions 53 received within the diametrical slot of the boss 59 for preventing rotation of the rod 31. Now, as the manipulating cap 5I is rotated, the rotation of the bolt 53 will cause the rod 31'to be raised or lowered, depending upon the direction of rotation of the cap 5I, the block 39, the closure piercing member 43 and the tube 29 being simultaneously raised or lowered, as the case may be.

When it is desired to withdraw a portion of the medicinal liquid 3 from the container or receptacle I, the cap 25 and the discs 2i and 23 are first removed and the sterilizing solution 23 (for example, alcohol) is poured into the tube I3 to partially till the same. Although this leaves the opening I I temporarily open, the atmospheric air will not enter into the receptaclel therethrough because the space above the liquid 3 (including the opening II) is already filled with sterilized air. A rubber or similar washerl 55, previously sterilized, is then placed over the rim of the tube I3 after which the venting unit 21, also previously sterilized, is inserted into the tube I3 and adjusted so that the aperture 35 in the disc-likemember 35 is aligned with the opening II in the stopper 1. Thereupon, the cap 25 is screwed onto the neck 5'until the pins 51 engage and hold the ange 55 against the member 35, a previously sterilized discharge tube 61 provided, it desired, with a stopcock 59 is inserted into the opening I I through the aperture 35, and the container I is inverted to the position shown in Figure 2r and placed upon or suspended from a suitable support not shown).

With the stopcock 59 open, the cap 5I is then manipulated in a clockwise direction until the member 43 has been raised sufllciently to pierce and extend through the soit rubber closure I9 as shown in Figure 3, the rod 31 and the tube 29 having been, of course, simultaneously raised longitudinally with respect to the tube 3l Air leaking in between the flange 55 and the disc-like member `35 then passes through the diametric slot in boss 59 past the terminal member 5| and in a circuitous path around the rod 31 and the tubes Vthe tube 3| and passes downwardly between the tubes 3| and 29, thence through one or more apertures' 1| in the lower end of the tube 29, up again in the space between the tubes 29 and I3 and trolled by manipulating the cap 5|.

, use

throughthe solution 28 which thoroughly cleans and sterilizes it, through the vents 41 into'the chamber 45 which, if desired, may be filled with a wad of cotton saturated with the same or another sterilizing solution, and finally through the duct 49 into the air space above the liquid 3. Thus, the air coming lfrom the atmosphere is rendered cleanand sterile prior to reaching the interior of the receptacle I.

The rate at which the liquid 3 is discharged from the container may becontrolled in several ways. If desired, the stopcock 69 may be initially adjusted for this purpose. As the cap 5| is manipulated and the tube 29 moved with respect to the spacing sleeve 33, it is evident that the extent of overlap between the sleeve 33 and the apertures 1| will vary. The position and size of the apertures 1| as well as the length of the sleeve 33 may be so chosen, therefore, that the ow of air through the apertures 1| will be con- It is also possible to obtain some measureof control dependent upon the extent to which the terminal vend of the duct 49 is shut i by the closure I9.

In any event, it will be obvious that the flow of liquid from the container I can be adjusted very critically and can be entirely stopped by merely turning the cap 5| `counterclockwise until the member 43 is withdrawn from the closure I9.

The modification of my improved venting device or unit vshown in Figure 5 is similar to that `shown in Figures 2 and 3. In this modification, however, the tube 29 has a tapered extension 13 which forms the chamber 45 and has the vents 41 therein, while the closure piercing member is constituted by a pointed extension 15 on the rod 31, the extension 15fbeing provided with a Y-shaped duct 11 therein corresponding'to the duct 49 and'serving to establish communication between the chamber 45 and the interior of the container A collar 19 on the rod 31 l is adapted to cooperate with a flange 8l on the tube 29 to prevent the air from passing up in the space between the rod 31 and tube 3,| without i'lrst passing through the sterilizing soluthreaded the outer tube 29.

tion 28.

In Figure 6, I have shown a further and somewhat simplified form of venting device 21 wherein the rod 31 and the boss 59 are eliminated.

The tube 3| in this modification extends through an externally threaded sleeve 83 upon which is The tube I3 is fitted over a rubber stopper 85 fitted Within the cap while the tubel 3| is fitted within the central bore 81 in the stopper 85, the closure piercing member 43 being force fitted into the tube 29. Preferably, the manipulating cap 5| is provided With a threaded opening through which access may be had to the interior of the tube 3|, a suitable covering cap 89 closing this open-L ing but permitting the leakage of air into the By properly turning the manipulating cap 5|, the tube 29 is raised to cause the member 43 to pierce the closure I9 as in the two modifications previously described, and the air from vthe atmosphere passes up through the tube 3 I, thence down between the tubes 3| and 29, and subsequently up through the sterilizing solution 28, the vents 41, the chamber 45 and the duct 49 into the container I'.

Flgure'? shows a modified bottle or container formed in accordance with my invention and wherein the inwardly extending tubular member I3 is made integral with the container This eliminates the necessity for the stopper 5. A hollow nipple 9| extending from the vcontainer I and suitably stoppered with a sterilized stopper during storage may be used for connecting ythe discharge tube 61 when the liquid 3 is to be withdrawn from the container.

In Figure 8, there is shown a modiiied form of stopper device for the container by means of which the possibility of entrance of atmospheric air into the container I is entirely eliminated. In this form of my invention, lthe stopper 1 is provided with a cut-away portion 1a adjacent its lower surface and with a hemispherical seat or depression 1b in its upper surface. The opening extends from the depression 1b through the stopper 1 to its lower surface, while a second opening 93 extends from the depression 1b to the cut-away portion 1a, communicating with the opening adjacent its upper end. From an inspection of Figure 8, .it will be seen that the opening 93 is considerably shorter than the opening II. Fitted into the opening II is a tube 95 which is sealed at both its ends and is provided with an opening 91 near its lower end and a reduced neck 98 adjacent its upper end which terminates in a somewhat spherical element 99 which may easily be grasped by the fingers. When the container is originally stoppered, the tube 95 is in the position shown in Figure 8 with the opening 91 Within the stopper opening II. The tube 95 also blocks oi entrance to the opening 93. Thus, there is no possibility of entrance of atmospheric air to contaminate the contents of the container I. When the container I is to beset up for use in the manner heretofore described, the tube 95 is withdrawn only sufficiently to have its lower end barely pass the upper end of the opening 93, whereupon the tube 95 is inserted into the opening 93 a distance sufficient to bring the opening 91 into the cut-away portion 1a.. This enables the liquid 3 to pass into the opening 91 and through the tube 95 when the containeri is inverted. By breaking off the portion 99 at this time, communication is established between the inside of the container and .the outside for dispensing the medicinal liquid openings II and 93 from the depression 1b, there,v

is no possibility of entrance of atmospheric air into the container I.

From the foregoing description, it will be' apparent to those skilled in the art that I have provided a liquid dispensing device which will insure the liquid against being contaminated by atmospheric air, and, although I have shown and described several embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many other modifications thereof and changes therein may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, if desired, the washer 65 may be entirely dispensed with, although I prefer to use this washer to provide a `seal between the tubular member I3 and the disc-like member 35. Also, in place of a solid disc 2| and solid disc 23, they may be in the form of annuli placed on the stopper 5 so as to cover onlythe opening II, it being immaterial whether the tubular member I3 is also covered or not, since the closure mem- -vber I9 prevents entry of contaminating material to the liquid 3 through the tube Il. Moreover,

to prevent the sterilizing solution 28 from passing into the container I through the vents 41, the chamber 45 and the duct 49 upon inversion of thejcontainer to upright position after the venting device 21 has been adjusted to the position shown in Figure 3, the bolt 53 may be'extended through the base of the manipulating cap 5I and provided with a terminal member similar to the member BI and arranged to cooperate with a second boss 59 and cap 5I, a coiled spring being placed about the extension of the bolt 53 between its terminal member and the cap 5I shown, for example, in Figure 3. Thus, when the second cap (not shown) is released, the

- spring will automatically withdraw the member 43 from the closure I9 and permit the closure I9 to seal itself, whereby the sterilizing solution is prevented from entering into the container I. Many other changes and modications will, no doubt, readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. I desire, therefore, that my invention shall not be limited except insofar as is necessary by reason of the prior art and the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container, a tubular member extending thereinto, venting means within said tubular member for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said container, `and air sterilizing means within said tubular member, said venting means being so constructed and so arranged within said tubular member as to cause the air to pass through said sterilizing means prior. to entering into said container.

2. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container, a tubular member extending thereinto, venting means within said tubular member for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the inside of said container, said venting means being spaced from said tubular member, and air sterilizing means within the space between said tubular member and said venting means, said venting means being arranged to direct the air through said sterilizing means prior to directing the air into said container.

3. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container having a neck portion, a stopper fitted into said neck portion and including a tubular member extending into said con-- tainer, said tubular member having a normally open inner end, a closure for said end, venting means within said tubular member in spaced relation thereto, said venting means extending through said closure for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said container, and air sterilizing means within the space between said venting means and said tubular member, said venting means having communication with said space adjacent said neck whereby the air admitted by said venting means from said atmosphere is caused to pass through said sterilizing means prior to entry into said container.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said closure comprises a pierceable member and characterized further in that said venting means includes a member adapted to pierce said closure, said piercing member having an air duct therein in communication with the space containing the sterilizing means and container.

5. The invention set forth in claim 3 characterized in that said closure comprises a pierceabley member, characterized further in that said f' venting means includes a m'ember adapted to pierce said closure and having an air duct therein in communication with the space containing the sterilizing means, and characterized still further by the addition of means for causing said piercingmember to pierce said pierceable member whereby to establish communication between the space containing said sterilizing means and the interior of said container.

6. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combinations ot a container, a tubular'member extending thereinto, and venting means within said tubular member for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior oi said' container, said venting means comprising a plurality of spaced, concentric members providing a circuitous path therebetween for the air.

7. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container, a tubular member extending thereinto, and Venting means Within said tubular member for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said container, said venting means comprising a plurality of spaced, concentric, relatively adjustable members providing a circuitous-path therebetween for the air.

8. In liquid dispensing apparatus'the combination of a container, a tubular member extending thereinto, and venting means within said tubular member for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said container, said venting means comprising a plurality of spaced, concentric members adjustable relative to each other' in a longitudinal direction and providing a series of reversely directed successive passages for the air.

9. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container, a tubular member extending thereinto and having a normally open inner end, a pierceable closure for said end, venting meanswithin said tubular member for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said container, said venting means comprising a plurality of spaced, concentric members adjustable relative to'each other in 'a longitudinal direction and including a closure piercing device on one of said members, and means for adjusting said members to bring said piercing device into piercing relation with said closure.

10. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container, a tubular member extending thereinto and having a 'normally open inner end, a pierceable closure for `said end, venting means Within said tubular member in spaced relation thereto for establishing communication with said space, and means forlongitudinally ad' justing said members to cause said piercing device to pierce said closure whereby communication may be established between said duct and the interior of said container.

11. The invention set forth in claim 10 characterized by the addition of air sterilizing means in the space between the venting means and the tubular member for sterilizing the air as it passes through said venting means from the atmosphere to the interior of the container.

12. Theinvention set forth in claim 10 characterized in that the container is provided with an outlet adjacent said tubular member for withdrawal of the liquid therefrom.

i ceive-a liquid and having a normally open neck.,l

`13. In combination, a container adapted torea' stopper for said neck, said stopper being provided with a plurality oi' openingsand with a `depression in its outer surface, said openings fitted into one o f said two intercommunicating openings and blocking entrance to the other of said two intercommunicating openings, said tube having an aperture therein adjacent its inner end but within said one opening and including'a head portion within said depression for facile 'grasping and removal thereof from said one opening and insertion into said other opening.

14.l In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of a container, a normally open-ended tube extending into said container, pierceable means closing one end of said tube, venting means within said tube for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said container, said venting means' including a member adapted to pierce said piercekable means, and means for manipulating said venting means to either bring said piercing member into or withdraw said member from relation with said pierceable means.

HENRY snAPmo.

piercing 20 

